Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

Uncaged hens in the USA are not necessarily better off than the caged ones. When I have to buy eggs, I buy Happy Egg Company eggs. They point out what it really means when the carton says free range. Most of those hens don't see the light of day. Here is a link to the page describing how their chickens are raised.

Baby steps. First eliminate cages and debeaking. I believe those two things will dramatically improve living conditions. Without the ability to debeak, they will have to provide more space.

 

[BY Bob]

The vet I took the sample to sent it out to a lab. That's a 1 day turn around. The state lab takes 2 to 3 weeks. I think they are all about finding out what happened after the fact.

Here the state lab takes 1 day. They are awesome.

 

[BY Bob]

The vet I took the sample to sent it out to a lab. That's a 1 day turn around. The state lab takes 2 to 3 weeks. I think they are all about finding out what happened after the fact.

Frankly you don't need the vet then. Find out the labs name and send it direct next time. It might save you some dollars.

 

[ValerieJ]

Baby steps. First eliminate cages and debeaking. I believe those two things will dramatically improve living conditions. Without the ability to debeak, they will have to provide more space.

I don't think so. Hens rescued from batteries are nearly featherless from the pecking. They may be out of the cage, but they have no space. I understand your point, that we have to take it one step at a time.

Honestly I didn't even read the article because I've already been exposed to too much of the truth when I worked for the Humane Society. It is horrendous the way we treat our farm animals in the USA and probably everywhere else too.

 

[ValerieJ]

Here the state lab takes 1 day. They are awesome.

Yes, that is awesome. Next time I will call ours and see if there is anything I can do to speed it up. I'm sure they don't get many true BYCers there. I would never say who, but I know other BYCers in my state that have the same attitude as the farmers. Also, when hens stop laying, they are either culled or sent to auction, where they will be culled anyway. It's really sad.

 

[ValerieJ]

Frankly you don't need the vet then. Find out the labs name and send it direct next time. It might save you some dollars.

I think you're right. This was my first experience with a sick hen, so I'm learning as I go here.

 

[RoyalChick]

You are right. Hattie can intimidate with just a look.

You can see why I have started calling Aurora my little T Rex. She wades into them like a T Rex into humans in Jurrasic Park!

The one time I gave them red cabbage their poo was lime green so don't be frightened if that happens.

I use a dry cleaner's metal hanger. I fold over the long parts and use the hook to pierce the cabbage at the stem and bend around. I tied the long ends to a string that I hung from the roof of the run. I have to replace it once a year as the hook falls off from all the bending.

I responded before seeing the end - I loved the impact of 'one look from Hattie'. Now I watched the rest and am still laughing at Aurora-T-Rex.

Genius on the cabbage - I am going to give it a go. I haven't noticed lime green poo, but since the great cabbage conversion I have noticed tar black poo. Everyone seems very healthy though so hopefully nothing to worry about.

Here is Maggie sunbathing. She seems very healthy and happy even with her little touch of frostbite.

Diana also soaking up the rays while Elizabeth stops to think.

 

[BY Bob]

I don't think so. Hens rescued from batteries are nearly featherless from the pecking. They may be out of the cage, but they have no space. I understand your point, that we have to take it one step at a time.

Honestly I didn't even read the article because I've already been exposed to too much of the truth when I worked for the Humane Society. It is horrendous the way we treat our farm animals in the USA and probably everywhere else too.

The article is about how they are encouraging people to eat white eggs instead of brown because white eggs are laid by hens that are less aggressive and therefore less likely to need their beaks trimmed.

Utter nonsense.

The more white eggs required the worse the living conditions will get, the more they will act out, and the more breaks will be trimmed

Outlaw the practice. Or require that any farmer who does it cut off the end of both of their index fingers.

Beak trimming is barbaric.

 

[BY Bob]

I responded before seeing the end - I loved the impact of 'one look from Hattie'. Now I watched the rest and am still laughing at Aurora-T-Rex.

Genius on the cabbage - I am going to give it a go. I haven't noticed lime green poo, but since the great cabbage conversion I have noticed tar black poo. Everyone seems very healthy though so hopefully nothing to worry about.

Here is Maggie sunbathing. She seems very healthy and happy even with her little touch of frostbite.
View attachment 2051558

Diana also soaking up the rays while Elizabeth stops to think.
View attachment 2051561

I never get tired of pictures ood the chicken palace. Those are some seriously lucky hens. Great job.

 

[RoyalChick]

I never get tired of pictures ood the chicken palace. Those are some seriously lucky hens. Great job.

Spoiled rotten is what they are!